'Doctor Who': Who won't be playing the Twelfth Doctor

Late last week, a tabloid story claimed that Doctor Who star Matt Smith was to depart the sci-fi drama at Christmas and though the BBC were quick to play down the rumours, that didn't stop bookmakers from lining up a selection of stars who could potentially serve as Smith's replacement.

But there's something about Doctor Who that causes even the most discerning bookie to give leave of their senses - the same thing happens with James Bond, when everyone from Eddie Murphy to Catherine Zeta-Jones ends up being pitched as a possible new 007.

So rather than stoke the fires of speculation, this week's Week in Geek is looking to throw a little cold war on proceedings by taking a long, hard look at some names favoured by the oddsmakers and asking the question... could they ever really be the Doctor?

Reportedly the 'favourite' to be TV's twelfth Time Lord, Skyfall star Kinnear is one of the few vaguely credible names circulating. He's not above doing telly - having played a pig-sodomising Prime Minster in Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror - and could bring a Troughton-esque appeal to the next Doc.

A selection that's seemingly been made on the basis that, 'he was in Doctor Who once' and 'Homeland is so hot right now' - Harewood's a fine actor but can we picture him as the Doctor? No.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison

Whether or not you think Cumberbatch would be any good in the part, and putting aside his rising stardom in Hollywood, there's absolutely no way that the star of Sherlock would also become the star of Doctor Who - to quote Austin Powers, the sheer mechanics of it are mind-boggling.

The Harry Potter star dipped his toe into TV waters with Sky's Young Doctor's Notebook opposite Jon Hamm and, while he might have his detractors, I actually think he could make a cracking Time Lord. That said, the last time we asked him about taking on the part, he was rather shocked by the idea - see the image above - so maybe he's just not ready?